“She is very excited because starting a family is something she’s always wanted.

“But she’s going to do things her way.”

The former Girls Aloud singer, 33, made her news public this week by showing off her obvious baby bump in a tight £530 Alexander Wang khaki dress at a charity carol concert in Piccadilly, central London.

The couple looked happier than ever as they attended the Fayre of St James Christmas Carol Concert in London

A guest at the A-list bash, where Olly Murs and Paul Potts performed, told The Sun: “Cheryl said thank you when she was congratulated on the pregnancy and kept her hand proudly on her bump for most of the night.

“She looked absolutely glowing and was clearly delighted.

“Liam was ultra-protective.

“At one point he had to get her a chair to sit down on as she was so exhausted from being on her feet.”

Cheryl has become more withdrawn from the public eye after two high-profile failed marriages to love-rat footballer Ashley Cole and French playboy Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.